The most wonderful time of the year is upon us! This week marks one of the busiest times of the year with families preparing for Christmas, Kwanzaa, and the New Year! Whether you are shopping, cooking, wrapping, or lighting, The Martindale Law Group would like to remind our beloved friends and families the importance of holiday safety.

Here are our tips:

1. Cooking: What would the Holiday season be without home cooked meals? Here's our tips to stay safe in the kitchen this Holiday season.

Prevent burns and fires by being responsible around the kitchen. Don't leave appliances unattended, tie your hair back, roll up long sleeves, and keep an eye on children.

Christmas and Thanksgiving are the two leading days for house fires in the United States, so ensure your Smoke Alarms work prior to cooking.

2. Shopping:Still have last second Holiday shopping to take care of? Make sure to follow these important tips.

Remember to never leave a child or animal in a car when going shopping.

Make sure to lock your car, as the Holiday season is the most common time for burglary.

3. The Tree: The tree is an integral part of any Christmas, so make sure to follow these tips in order to keep your family safe.

The placement of the tree is key. Make sure to keep your tree far away from any potentially flammable objects, and never use lighted candles near trees.

If you are using an artificial tree, make sure it is labeled as fire resistant.

If your tree is natural, make sure it is watered well to avoid branches from drying and potentially catching on fire from the heat of light bulbs.

Try to find ornaments that are not easily breakable. Glass ornaments are quite common, but can injure someone if broken.

4. The Commute: Millions around the world commute home or to a friend's residence for the Holiday season. If you are housing guests, use these tips to ensure everyone's safety.

Be responsible with alcohol. If you have friends and family coming over, make sure they have a designated driver to ensure they get home safely. Alternatively, you can offer guests to stay the night in order to avoid drinking and driving.

Plan ahead. Traffic is almost guaranteed during the holiday season, so make sure you plan ahead. There is no need to speed or drive recklessly to get to your destination.

We hope these tips are useful for you and your family this Holiday season. From everyone here at the Martindale Law Group, we wish you a Happy Holidays and joyful New Year!